“Give a fresh twist to a timeless toy by customizing your very own wooden yoyo. Master the art of spinning as you practice string and looping tricks. Kit includes: wooden yoyo, acrylic paints, and a paint brush. Recommended for ages 5-12.”

I’m just back from Chicago, and I have been there dozens of times over the years, and I have done tons of great things there – but I just found a bunch of things I have never done in Chicago in the book 100 Things to Do in Chicago Before You Die by Molly Page

About 100 Things to Do in Chicago Before You Die by Molly Page: “Soaring skyscrapers, deep-dish pizza, and improv comedy may be what the city is best known for, but they are only the beginning of Chicago’s story. It could take a lifetime to experience everything this one-of-a-kind town has to offer. But what if you only have a few days to explore? You’re in luck! The one hundred adventures in this candid insider’s guide promise an authentic taste of the Windy City whether you’re taking a weekend-sized bite or sticking around for the buffet of a lifetime. You’ll find seasonal and themed itineraries to make planning your explorations easier. Discover which blues club locals swear by, pay a visit to a quiet green space hidden in plain sight, or dig in to an ice cream cone piled high with five different flavors! If you’re visiting for the first time, or you’re lucky enough to call Chicago home, these one hundred iconic experiences should top your to-do list.”

Not that I needed one – but this books gives me the best excuse to head back to the Windy City sooner rather than later.

“Walnut wood is an ideal wood for carvings, wood turnings and is prized as a veneer. Walnut is an extremely strong wood that seldom mars or chips. In China, Walnuts have traditionally been rotated and played with in the palm of the hand, both as a means to stimulate blood circulation and as a status symbol.”

FF: The Hot Fudge Sauce from Coop’s Microcreamery

About the : “We knew we had a superstar on our hands when we found ourselves begging Marc “Coop” Cooper to let us stock his delectable fudge sauces. This dark, ultra-rich, ooey-gooey jar of nostalgia is made in small batches near Boston, using local dairy and high-quality chocolate. It’s got a cult following over there, and for good reason; this tastes like the smack-dab center of a fresh-from-the-oven brownie. The iconic “drippy lid” is actually a registered trademark, made form hardened wax with a chocolate essence! It’s like scratch-n-sniff that’s followed up with real taste bud satisfaction, once you reach the gooey sauce inside.”

I am traveling from the great city of Kansas City to the great city of Chicago, and I think I have found the perfect companion for my flight and all those little moments you need to kill while traveling: Chicago Puzzles by James a Richards.

About Chicago PuzzlesPaperback by James a Richards: “Challenge yourself with this collection of original puzzles and cross words celebrating the communities and institutions that make Chicago one of the world’s greatest cities! Each puzzle has a different theme. Plus, fans of the quintessential Chicago movie Ferris Beuller’s Day Off will enjoy a special crossword all about this classic movie which embraced the city as few movies ever have!”

I am always looking for pantry staples that I can pull off the shelf to add something special and unique to an otherwise humdrum meal – things like the Sweet & Sour Brussels Sprouts I found from the fine folks at Garibaldi Goods.

“The term frog balls doesn’t quite sum up how delicious these pickled Brussels sprouts are, but it’s certainly a memorable moniker. Their strange, science-lab aesthetic makes these quirky vegetables extremely fun to eat, share and discuss. Add them to a cheese platter or bring a jar to sports night where they’ll be right at home alongside the chips and dip.”